VFD or Rotary Phase Converter for Bridgeport?
- Thread starter yankeerider
- Start date
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IF you put any switches between the VFD and the motor there will be problems. But, you can utilize the original drum or push button switches for low voltage remote control of the VFD. This will allow the VFD to be mounted anywhere and, as with my Millrite, still use the original switch which was readily at hand. Three small wires between the drum switch and the control terminals on the VFD allowed the FWD, OFF, REV to function as they did originally. If you want something different than the original arrangement, you can design your own control panel.
There is a slight humming noise (and cooling fan noise) from my VFD but you don't notice it after a while.
sandman2234
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I don't hear anything from my static, costs a lot less, let's me use the Bridgeport switches and if I burn it up, not as big of loss. My machine is variable speed so if that is what your after, then go vfd. David from jax
JRP
Platinum Member
"..... you will damage the VFD if you try to use the switches the mill came with."
Not true. As mentioned in another post above, the drum switch can be used as the forward/reverse switch for the VFD. The red, white and black wires in the photo were wired to the drum switch. The motor wires connect directly to the VFD output, not to the drum switch. Fuses had to be installed for the power.
I had this one just installed on a Bridgeport that came with a computer. The VFD can provide 3hp, so it will give the full 3hp available from the 2hp head. Apparently the mill motor is strong enough that you can load it to 3hp as long as you use it for less than 30 minutes, then let it cool.
This is one I used:
FM50-203-C
I didn't have much to spend. At $185 it is less expensive than a converter, smaller, easier to install, and mine is quiet. It clipped onto a metal rail called DIN inside my mill computer control. It was also set up with "deceleration", which uses the VFD to brake and stop the tool in 1.5 seconds.
BTW, if you turn the mill down with the VFD the drilling torque stays the same. Not good for big holes. If you use the belt or gear/mechanical speed ratio your drilling torque goes way up. My VFD is set at 60, which is the wall power cycles. I adjust the speed with the Bridgeport crank and gears.
You will love the Bridgeport. I bought mine just to drill with, but it is much more useful
than that.
Not true. As mentioned in another post above, the drum switch can be used as the forward/reverse switch for the VFD. The red, white and black wires in the photo were wired to the drum switch. The motor wires connect directly to the VFD output, not to the drum switch. Fuses had to be installed for the power.
I had this one just installed on a Bridgeport that came with a computer. The VFD can provide 3hp, so it will give the full 3hp available from the 2hp head. Apparently the mill motor is strong enough that you can load it to 3hp as long as you use it for less than 30 minutes, then let it cool.
This is one I used:
FM50-203-C
I didn't have much to spend. At $185 it is less expensive than a converter, smaller, easier to install, and mine is quiet. It clipped onto a metal rail called DIN inside my mill computer control. It was also set up with "deceleration", which uses the VFD to brake and stop the tool in 1.5 seconds.
BTW, if you turn the mill down with the VFD the drilling torque stays the same. Not good for big holes. If you use the belt or gear/mechanical speed ratio your drilling torque goes way up. My VFD is set at 60, which is the wall power cycles. I adjust the speed with the Bridgeport crank and gears.
You will love the Bridgeport. I bought mine just to drill with, but it is much more useful
than that.
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JRP
Platinum Member
kennyd, your lathe project is awesome. nice job
OP
yankeerider
Platinum Member
Thanks, everyone. I got a TECO EV series VFD and the machine came to life this morning. I had been concerned about humming noise based upon some posts I read elsewhere, but I needn't have had any concerns. The only noise was from the cooling fan in the VFD, and that is not at all objectionable. The soft start is really cool. I will be wiring the fwd/rev/off switch on the mill to the low voltage control functions of the VFD.
